Railway Foundry

Railway Foundry

Company type	Private
Industry	Railway engineering
Founded	1838
Founder	Shepherd and Charles Todd
Defunct	1846
Headquarters	Leeds , England
Products	Locomotives, rolling stock

The Railway Foundry in Leeds was a railway engineering facility situated near Pearson Street in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Founded in 1838 by Shepherd and Charles Todd—previously associated with Todd, Kitson & Laird—the workshop specialized in the construction of locomotives and rolling stock.

Locomotives

The initial contract was secured in 1839, leading to the manufacture of locomotives for the North Midland Railway, Manchester and Leeds Railway, as well as a French customer. Early designs featured small four-coupled engines and 2-2-2 configurations. In 1840, the Foundry produced two six-foot single drivers equipped with Gray's patented dog-leg valve gear for the Hull and Selby Railway, representing some of the earliest examples utilizing expansive working. Additional builds included two 0-6-0 locomotives and single drivers for the York and North Midland Railway.

Formation of Fenton, Craven and Company

After Todd's departure in 1844, E.B. Wilson took his place but left within a year. In 1846, James Fenton—formerly of Fenton, Murray and Jackson—assumed control, renaming the business Fenton, Craven and Company. The company primarily manufactured Stephenson-style long boiler locomotives, including several outside-cylindered 2-4-0 types with fireboxes positioned behind the driving wheels, which were known for instability. Conversely, six-coupled freight engines demonstrated greater dependability due to their lower operational speeds.

Formation of E. B. Wilson and Company

By late 1846, the partnership dissolved; Fenton continued operations while E.B. Wilson re-established himself by founding E. B. Wilson and Company.

Railway Foundry, Barnsley

The Railway Foundry located in Barnsley was an independent entity owned by Mr Longbottom. Contrary to previous assertions connecting him to Luke Longbottom—who served as Locomotive Superintendent of the North Staffordshire Railway from 1882 to 1902—records show that Luke’s father worked as an engineer at Marshall's flax mill in Leeds for five decades.

See also

• Round Foundry, Leeds